Freelander 1 Losing Coolant, Trying to narrow down where from?

The Freelander is losing a lot of coolant, after maybe 300 mile drive over the last week Im left with no coolant and bubbling in the overflow, There also seems to be a leak coming from a pressed pipe at the back of the engine bay, is this connected?

No mayonaise in the oil and car insnt showing any engine faults/overheating or any noticeable driving issues

What's that in the expansion tank?
How long have you had it?

Not too sure, looks like bubbled up coolant? Its been very hot out? & Had it for 2 months

davidsmith1307 said:

What's that in the expansion tank?
How long have you had it?

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Is it like dried up froth or is it more solid (I'm thinking K-Seal)

davidsmith1307 said:

Is it like dried up froth or is it more solid (I'm thinking K-Seal)

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Definitely a dried up froth, sort of like milkshake bubbles

davidsmith1307 said:

Is it like dried up froth or is it more solid (I'm thinking K-Seal)

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Just got it out and its like a brown paste? Looks on google to be like K seal? What could this mean? Thanks

The previous owner knew the head gasket was gone and decided to hide it would be the worst case.
Try refilling and bleeding it and run the engine. See if you get lots of bubbles in the expansion tank.
You may not get water in the oil - it depends where the gasket has failed. It may just be pushing gas into the water jacket.

That trickle of liquid from that 'pressed' pipe is condensate from the A/C unit = not a problem. Your expansion tank is cracking / crazing around the neck and possibly losing pressure - replacement is a cheap fix get a new cap too. K Seal - from what I understand this is undesirable in the K Series motor and may well point to a failing HG. However, coolant can leak from from the inlet gasket too. Use a small mirror and have a careful look at the underside of that plastic manifold, You are looking for coolant stains on the block. Radiators can fail too on older / high milage FLs as well. Look for coolant stains on the lower ends of the side tanks. Possibly best seen from under the FL with the 'under tray' removed.

A bottle of Ring Automotive UV coolant dye might be your friend here. The leak glows under a UV lamp and makes it a hell of a lot easier to find. The dries residue glows too.

davidsmith1307 said:

A bottle of Ring Automotive UV coolant dye might be your friend here. The leak glows under a UV lamp and makes it a hell of a lot easier to find. The dries residue glows too.

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Hi David, great tip ! - never tried that product before. Nice one !
Joe

When I had my knackered V6 I eventually found the coolant in a pool on the garage floor. Didn't see it until the recovery truck hauled its sorry carcass out of the garage. Back brakes completely locked.
The dye is only as good as the man with the torch

davidsmith1307 said:

The dye is only as good as the man with the torch

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That's a bit harsh. Not all Land Rovers with a leaking HG need to be torched!

davidsmith1307 said:

A bottle of Ring Automotive UV coolant dye might be your friend here. The leak glows under a UV lamp and makes it a hell of a lot easier to find. The dries residue glows too.

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Are there any possibly dangers in using a UV dye? Is there any chance it will to corrode or damage anything?

I'm sure my heater matrix is leaking, but I want actual proof before extracting the whole dash (probably to go back with umpteen rattles). UV dye seams the obvious way to check and discounts condensation etc making me thnk its leaking.

I don't work for Ring... I'd have a look at their description and decide for yourself. How about doing it just before a coolant change?

UV dye is very useful for finding leaking coolant.
I suspect this K series has been bodged to sell it to an unsuspecting future owner.
It's possibly the head gasket on its way out. However if it's been run with low coolant, the HG will be dead now anyway.

Yes, I think I'd be having the head off and making sure it was properly sorted. I believe head gaskets are a know weakness

This is why when you buy a K powered vehicle you auto assume the head gasket has gone and factor it into the purchase price of the vehicle.

A K powered freelander is worth about the equivalent of it's L or TD4 bretheren - minus the cost of a head gasket change.

GrumpyGel said:

Are there any possibly dangers in using a UV dye? Is there any chance it will to corrode or damage anything?

I'm sure my heater matrix is leaking, but I want actual proof before extracting the whole dash (probably to go back with umpteen rattles). UV dye seams the obvious way to check and discounts condensation etc making me thnk its leaking.

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Looking at the Materials Safety Data Sheet for the Ring Automotive UV Die for Coolant Systems it looks pretty innocuous... http://www.workshopwarehouse.co.uk/downloads/dl/file/id/775/erld2.pdf

Tony Reeves said:

Looking at the Materials Safety Data Sheet for the Ring Automotive UV Die for Coolant Systems it looks pretty innocuous... http://www.workshopwarehouse.co.uk/downloads/dl/file/id/775/erld2.pdf

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Thanks Tony - a lot of text there that basically says its inert and safe.

I had to giggle at the comment "Avoid release to the environment" - that's sort of what you're trying to make it do!

Also at the comment "Keep away from food, drink and animal feedingstuffs" - my dog better look out, cos if it does end up in the passenger footwell, that's his favourite hunting ground for crisps, sweats, pieces of KFC that's fallen out the box etc!

If he can survive footwell KFC then UV dye is probably fine.